June 25th, 1892 — Malcorvus's Estate

It had been difficult to organize a dinner party for the first time in many years. In the past it had been his wife Jocosta who did all the arranging, all he had to do was provide a guest list. To do it all, Malcorvus found he constantly had to check in with the portrait of his wife to ensure he hadn't missed anything. Eventually he just had his Head of Staff get all the appropriate directions from his wife's portrait to ensure nothing was missed.

Once everything was organized, Malcorvus could only marvel at how much his wife had done to make all his past dinner parties and social events so successful. There were beautiful spring flowers in vases on the large dinning tables, the main hall was also decorated in bright lively colours, colours he wouldn't have considered if he hadn't consulted with Jocosta's portrait. In truth he wouldn't have considered the decorations at all, comfortable enough with the usual décor of Flint Manor.

The servants and House Elves had prepared a wonderful selection of appetizers to satisfied guests till dinner was ready. From what his wife's portrait had told him, the dinner would be a 6 course dinner with an array of fine cuisine from Britain and abroad, including a few of his favourites. A variety was provided to ensure all tastes of his guests would be satisfied. For drinks there would be appropriate wines with each course and plenty of spirits for after dinner. All and all Malcorvus hoped his guests will be pleased with what was offered. If any guessed the bulk of the planning had been the work of his late wife, Malcorvus couldn't say though he hoped some of the credit would fall his way. He had already thanked his wife for her help but it wouldn't hurt to tell her so once his guests had left later that night.

His guests had arrived and he greeted each one and welcomed them to his home. Then dinner came and went and as far as he could tell all enjoyed it. With dinner over and done with he led the guests into the main ball room where space had been made for couples to dance. Along the far wall there were plenty of drinks and snacks to choose from. A few chairs and tables were arranged for guests to rest. The back garden was also available for guests to enjoy fresh air and smoke.

With the pressure of organizing the event off his shoulders, Malcorvus could finally relax and catch up with old acquaintances and just be a good host to his guests. He spoke to fellow Wizengamut members and a couple members of the Knights and others he knew through work and other social events he had participated in the past.

"How are you enjoying things?" he asked the person standing next to him.

ooc: open to UCPB's, Friends and Co-workers of Malcorvus and family. (see event posting for more details or PM

  

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Victor had been surprised to receive an invitation tonight; while the Daphnels were wealthy and the "right sort," dinner parties in his experience tended to be intimate affairs, only for a select group of friends or close acquaintances, not the whole of society. That was the root of his misconception, apparently, because this was not merely a dinner party. There was a dance floor. He had not been anticipating a need to dance. Had he anticipated it, he would have spent more time trying to gauge the merit of the female guests over dinner rather than devoting so much of his attention to ensuring Bea survived things.

If he was meant to be looking for a wife, he really couldn't keep coming to events with his sister. Taking care of his own business and trying to look after hers as well was an impossible task, and he was bound to end up doing both sub-optimally. In any case, when the floor was open for dancing, he found himself lingering at the edge of it and trying to decide how to make his next move — and then approached by the host.

"Very well, thank you," he returned with a polite smile. "Six courses and a dance is quite an event, Mr. Flint."

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Fabulous set by Lady!

The dinner had been more lavish than he originally planned but his wife felt it should be something memorable. Malcorvus had been mostly abscent from society since her passing and it was clear she wanted everybody to know he was out of mourning. A tiny part of him couldn't help think she hoped such an event would present a woman who'll catch his eye. Truth be told he doubted any woman would capture his heart as Jocosta did nor would he want to find another love like hers.

"It's been awhile since I held a dinner party and I definitely wanted this one to stand out," Malcorvus responded. He saw no reason to indicate it was mostly his late wife's idea, it would make him appear incapable of throwing such a party without his wife among the living. "It pleases me you are enjoying yourself Mr. Daphnel."

Malcorvus took a moment to sip from his drink as he scanned the couples dancing. Turning his attention back to his guest he indicated the group of young women clustered near the dance floor watching other dancing with hopeful expressions. "Do you have your eyes set on a dance partner or are you more focused on seeking one for your sister?"

Victor Daphnel

  

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Victor glanced at the gaggle of young women that Mr. Flint had indicated. "Oh, I'll dance with my fair share," he reassured Flint quickly. He didn't want to present himself as the sort of uncharitable man who would avoid the dance floor and force young women to sit out more than their share of dances, whether or not he was enthused about dancing with any of them. It was part of what was done at these sort of events; unless there was a large enough party gathered that no one was going to notice what you did, men were obliged to dance with at least four or five women in an evening.

It was a bit off-putting to be questioned about his prospects so earnestly, but Victor supposed he ought to get used to these sorts of questions. He was thirty, after all, and had avoided them longer than the average bachelor who stood to inherit a tidy fortune. That didn't mean he had any ready answers, though; he hadn't found anyone yet who even stood out from the crowd, much less had made enough of an impression that he could seek her out at a dance.

"A good brother ought to always give more care to his sister's dance partners than his own, though," he answered evenly — the most graceful dodge he could muster, since admitting that he was slacking on the wife-hunting front wasn't going to impress Mr. Flint. "Her eventual husband will have a much more deciding influence on her life than my bride will on mine."

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Fabulous set by Lady!

Malcorvus nodded slightly when Victor confirmed he'll dance with his fair share. He never doubted that would be the answer. There weren't huge numbers of young women at his party, Malcorvus had invited mostly families he knew fairly well and wanted to impress, in truth he wanted the right sorts of young women to be present to ensure good matches. He had no intention to actively seek dance partners himself, being the Host and a recent willower none would be surprised he wasn't putting himself out on the market on his event after officially returning to society.

"Quite understandable," he commented after Victor told him he was mainly here to ensure his sister found a good match. "It's definitely important to see one's sisters secured into a marriage with a worthy gentleman. It would be my priority in your place as well."

"Tell me about your sister, perhaps I could offer some suggestions," Malcorvus offered. He didn't know anything about Miss Daphnel other than common knowledge and he had only met her briefly when introduced at the beginning of his dinner party.

  

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Victor was somewhat relieved that Mr. Flint said his priorities would be the same, in his shoes. He was off the hook for at least a few minutes, then, and wouldn't be asked to give any opinions of the young ladies assembled for the dinner party. The tradeoff, of course, was that now he had to talk about Bea. Talking about her wasn't a problem, but describing her in a way that wouldn't make her sound utterly dull was always a challenge. Overselling was also a hazard; he couldn't set expectations too high and then watch them crumble when faced with reality.

"Miss Beatrice," he began, in case Mr. Flint wasn't familiar with his sister's name. "— is a dutiful young woman with a love of literature and needlework. She is modest almost to a fault," he continued, which was the most charitable possible way of putting his sisters... quirks. "Which unfortunately means the marriage market is not a welcoming environment for her. I admittedly have no personal experience, but it does seem that the debutantes who fare best are those who are unafraid to be bold."

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Fabulous set by Lady!

Malcorvus listened intently as Victor described his sister, more interested in what wasn't said. In truth it didn't sell overly embelished and Malcorvus was well aware not all young ladies were comfortable in Society. That didn't disqualify them as potential wives, not all men liked bold or outspoken women, preferring the quiet dutiful sort. Malcorvus on the other hand preferred an intelligent, wise and kind woman. Jocosta had shared his believes but in many ways was his opposite. Where he could be harsh and stern she was kind and sympathetic, in fact they perfectly complimented each other. It made for a very productive and loving home environment, one he solely missed and doubt could ever have again.

"Not all men want a bold wife," Malcorvus commented. He didn't think his son did, but he suspected Thaddeus wouldn't want a wife who was totally useless either. Blood and class only went so far and a bad match could destroy one's reputation just as easily as marrying well beneath you. "I'm sure you'll find a perfect match for Miss Beatrice, it may take a little longer. Even the jewel of the Season may not find her match in her debut season."

  

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A perfect match was setting their sights a little too high, Victor thought; he would be happy with a match, and he was almost certain his mother would be as well. He wasn't entirely sure what Bea's thoughts on the matter were. Presumably she had some internal ideals about what she wanted from a husband, but he also expected that she would be relieved at a wedding of any kind since it would mean she could step away from the spotlight she so hated. Which was greater, he wondered: her desire for a kind and supportive husband, or her need to be done with her debutante years? Obviously she wouldn't want to be married to anyone cruel, but supposing the groom they eventually found for her was fine and nothing more, Victor thought she would probably welcome it. How much did feeling really play into who one married, anyway?

"Wise words," he allowed with a smile. "Though I hope, for my sister's sake, it doesn't take too long. Every season without strong prospects is a blow to a lady's confidence, no matter her disposition."

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Fabulous set by Lady!

Malcorvus considered all those he knew who were currently unmarried who may be a potential husband for a shy introverted sort of wife. He could think of a few who wouldn't mind a wife who was rarely seen, except when necessary to assure society she existed. Some men may just want somebody to keep them company time to time without the usual demands some women would have.

"Perhaps an older gentleman who may or may not already have heirs would be suitable? Somebody who prefers quiet company over lavish balls and opulent galas your sister would be ill-suited for?" Malcorvus had a few names to suggest but wanted to get an idea if Victor would want a much older gentleman to marry his sister. "I can give you a couple names if you think such a husband would be good for your sister. Most likely she'll spend most of her life a widow however, as such older gentleman may pass on in a decade or two. Knowing this may be a comfort to your sister, but only you would know her well enough to decide."

Malcorvus didn't put himself in this category, not currently interested in finding himself a new life much less passing on in a few decades. He intended to live for at least another half century if he had any say in the matter.

  

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Victor had no opposite whatsoever to finding Beatrice an older husband, but he did balk slightly when Flint brought up the man potentially dying. That might have been a bit older than he'd expected, given that she was not yet twenty and a reasonably healthy wizard could easily live to one hundred. An age gap of twenty or thirty years he could have overlooked, but one of sixty or seventy years was practically ensuring that she would never have any sort of common ground with her husband. He wasn't sure how she would fare as a widow, either. Presumably by that point she might have children to occupy herself, but the life of a widow was lonely by nature. The support system she had would depend on her own ability to form friendships and connections, which... she might not be up for, honestly.

"I admit that I am unsure of my sister's mind when it comes to such matters," he began. "I do think she would benefit from a husband more secure in his position in society, who has fewer requirements to place on her — a man who has already made his name, not one who intends to make it. As to whether life as a widow would be comfortable for her, I'm uncertain," he admitted. "But I greatly appreciate your support in this, Mr. Flint."

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Fabulous set by Lady!

Malcorvus noted his suggestion of a much older husband seemed to cause some hesitation in Mr. Daphnel. It was understandable, nobody would want to see their sister a widow before she reached her prime. He wouldn't want it for any of his daughters, certainly not as their first husband. Still it had been a valid suggesting giving what he knew about Miss Daphnel so far.

"Hmm, an older gentleman already established in society does sound more idea," Malcorvus agreed. He nodded when Victor thanked him for his support. "I'm glad to help. In fact I'll go one step further and offer any assistance in validating any potential husbands you are considering for Miss Dalphnel. I like to think I've been around long enough to be a good judge of character beyond what is presented to society."

  

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Victor didn't know what he had done to earn Mr. Flint's favor in this way, but he was glad to have done it. The Flints were a well-established family who would be well-poised as friends and advocates... but even if their last name was a bit less illustrious, they couldn't afford to be turning away help wherever it presented itself. It was a bit grating to be in such a position — their own family name and reputation, wealth and position should have put them in a position to be doling out favors, not begging for them — but Beatrice was hopeless.

"I'm sure you're an excellent judge of character," Victor agreed. "And we'll be most grateful for your assistance. It has been an inopportune time for my father to be away," he continued. His father hadn't left the country for an extended research trip because Bea was on the hunt for a husband — or at least, if that was his reasoning he'd never made it plain — but it might very well have been a contributing factor. "But I hear that his research is gaining momentum and simply cannot be put off."

(The fact that his father had said this did not mean that it was true; the senior Mr. Daphnel tended to exaggerate the importance of anything that interested him significantly).

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Fabulous set by Lady!

Being an excellent legilimens did make it easier to know the general character people he met, not that he resorted to such measures all the time. Understanding human nature was also very important and Malcorvus had plenty of experience during his time as a member of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Being on the Wizengamot certainly put him in the perfect arena to learn plenty about the nature of the criminal. Even with his background and skills Malcorvus wasn't so egotistical to think he was always right in his impressions of people. Still, he felt he was a good judge of character, especially when it came to certain qualities he always looked for in others.

Malcorvus had heard Mr. Daphnel was away doing research but he didn't know what sort of research, only that it was in Asia somewhere. He saw no need to look into it specifically but he always heard things. Whatever or wherever the elder Mr. Daphnel was doing wasn't important, it was clear he left his eldest son in charge of family matters. At least as far as his sister's debut was concerned.

"I'm sure once he's completed his research your father will return home." Malcorvus certainly could understand how easily it was to become lost in one's research. He certainly spend many hours with his own academic pursuits, sometimes far too much time especially in the years following the loss of his wife.

"I should see to my other guests, feel free to find me later if you have any questions about potential suitors for your sister." Malcorvus had wanted to spend some time talking with other guests and felt now was a good time to excuse himself to do just that without causing any offense. "Please, enjoy the refreshments in the mean time, the night is still young."

Victor Daphnel
ooc: A good spot to wrap I think?

  

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